Linebacker Derrick Brooks, who will become the third Bucs player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August, tweeted his condolences about Glazer, who bought the team the same year he was drafted.

Deeply saddened by passing of Mr Glazer.So many good memories of him as my owner of the only team I played for @TBBuccaneers. #ripmrglazer

Glazer's worth was estimated at $4.2 billion, and he is No. 4 on Sporting News' list of the richest owners in the NFL. According to Forbes.com, he and his family are the 353rd-wealthiest entity in the world.

In a statement, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called Glazer "the guiding force behind the building of a Super Bowl-champion organization. His dedication to the community was evident in all he did, including his leadership in bringing Super Bowls to Tampa Bay. Malcolm’s commitment to the Bucs, the NFL and the people of the Tampa Bay region are the hallmarks of his legacy."

During Glazer's ownership, Raymond James Stadium opened in Tampa in 1998; the city hosted two Super Bowls, the Ravens' win over the Giants in 2001 and the Steelers' win over the Cardinals in 2009.

The Glazer family — his sons Bryan, Joel and Edward are co-chairs of the Buccaneers — first bought stock in Manchester United in 2003 and became majority owners in 2005. The world-renowned franchise won five EPL titles and the Champions League crown in 2008 on his watch — although local fans largely rebelled against the American-based ownership from the beginning.

Reaction from Old Trafford was muted.

"The thoughts of everyone at Manchester United are with his family tonight," a club spokesman told the BBC's website.

"It would be inappropriate for me to make any comment about the death of Malcolm Glazer as I didn't know him or his family personally," Sean Bones, vice chairman of the Manchester United Supporters' Trust, told the BBC. The Supporters' Trust is a fan group that wants to own a piece of the club. "However, as a supporter, I am aware of the detrimental effect the Glazers have had on the football club and the huge debt (currently estimated at about $600 million) that has been placed on Manchester United."

Glazer, whose wealth came from real estate, bought the Buccaneers in 1995 for a reported $192 million, and the franchise, which lost the first 26 games it played starting with its NFL debut in 1976, is now worth more than $1 billion. The Bucs won Super Bowl XXXVII over the Oakland Raiders after the 2002 season, under coach Jon Gruden, hired by the Glazers to replaced their first coaching hire and architect of its resurrection, Tony Dungy.

"He was responsible, I think, for the Buccaneers turning the corner. ... He deserves a tremendous amount of credit,'' said Gruden, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Born in Rochester, N.Y., in 1928, as one of seven children, Glazer's first business venture was taking over the family watch-parts business after his father died, according to the Bucs' website.